Information record medium, apparatus for recording the same and apparatus for reproducing the same

ABSTRACT

An information recording apparatus (SS 1 ) is provided with: a signal process device ( 72 ) for dividing record information (R) to be recorded into a plurality of partial record informations including at least video information, for applying a predetermined signal process to each of the partial record informations to thereby output processed partial record information (Sr,  42, 43, 44 ), and for generating and outputting, on the basis of control information (Si) which is inputted from the external to control a reproduction of the record information, additional information (Sac,  64:  PGCI) including still time information ( 66 E) indicative of a time for performing a still picture reproduction of a final picture of each of the partial record informations which is a picture included in each of the partial record informations at a final portion thereof after reproducing each of the partial record informations, at a time of reproducing the record information, the still time information being set for each of the partial record informations; a multiplex device ( 75, 76 ) for multiplexing the processed partial record information and the additional information to thereby generate multiplexed processed record information (Sap); and a record device ( 77, 78 ) for recording the multiplexed processed record information onto an information record medium ( 1:  DVD).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an information record mediumsuch as an optical disk of a high recording density type, which iscapable of recording information such as video information, audioinformation and the like at a high density, and which is represented bya DVD (Digital Video or Versatile Disk). The present invention alsorelates to a recording apparatus for recording the information onto theinformation record medium, and a reproducing apparatus for reproducingthe information from the information record medium.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, a so-called LD (Laser Disk) and a so-called CD(Compact Disk) are generalized as optical disks, on which informationsuch as video information, audio information and the like is recorded.

[0005] On the LD or the like, the video information and the audioinformation are recorded together with time information indicating atime at which each information is to be reproduced with respect to areproduction start position, which each LD or the like has, as astandard position. Thus, other than a general normal reproduction toreproduce the recorded information in the order of recording, variousspecial reproductions are possible, such as a reproduction to extractand listen to an only desirable music out of a plurality of recordedmusics, a reproduction to listen to the recorded musics in a randomorder and so on, in case of the CD, for example.

[0006] However, the above mentioned LD and the like have such a problemthat it is not possible to perform a variegated reproduction. Forexample, when it is desired to stop a presently displayed picture tothereby display it as a still picture, it can be attained only bycarrying out a temporary stop operation according to the intention ofthe audience to thereby reproduce it as the still picture. On thecontrary, the picture cannot be stopped according to the intention of anauthor who produces the information to be recorded (hereafter, simplyreferred to as an author).

[0007] On the other hand, various proposals and developments are beingmade as for the DVD, as an optical disk in which the memory capacity isimproved by about ten times without changing the size of the opticaldisk itself as compared with the aforementioned conventional CD.However, in the above mentioned case, a recording apparatus and areproducing apparatus for the record information are not proposed anddeveloped, which can perform a still picture reproduction according tothe author's intention for the record information to thereby carry outthe variegated reproduction. Moreover, the actuality is such that aperson having an ordinary skill in this art does not even recognize asubject itself to realize an recording apparatus and an reproducingapparatus for the record information, which can perform the stillpicture reproduction according to the author's intention for the recordinformation to thereby carry out the variegated reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide: aninformation recording apparatus for recording the information in such amanner as to allow the still picture reproduction according to theauthor's intention for the record information to thereby carry out thevariegated reproduction; an information record medium on which theinformation is recorded in that manner by the information recordingapparatus; and an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing therecorded information.

[0009] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus, provided with: a signal process devicefor dividing record information to be recorded into a plurality ofpartial record informations including at least video information, forapplying a predetermined signal process, such as a process based on theMPEG 2 method etc., to each of the partial record informations tothereby output processed partial record information, and for generatingand outputting, on the basis of control information which is inputtedfrom the external to control a reproduction of the record information,additional information including still time information indicative of atime for performing a still picture reproduction of a final picture ofeach of the partial record informations which is a picture included ineach of the partial record informations at a final portion thereof afterreproducing each of the partial record informations, at a time ofreproducing the record information, the still time information being setfor each of the partial record informations; a multiplex device formultiplexing the processed partial record information and the additionalinformation to thereby generate multiplexed processed recordinformation; and a record device, such as a mastering device etc., forrecording the multiplexed processed record information onto aninformation record medium, such as a DVD etc.

[0010] According to the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the record information to be recorded is divided into aplurality of partial record informations including at least videoinformation, by the signal process device. Then, a predetermined signalprocess is applied to each of the partial record informations, so thatthe processed partial record information is outputted, by the signalprocess device. On the basis of the control information, the additionalinformation including the still time information indicative of a timefor performing a still picture reproduction of a final picture of eachof the partial record informations after reproducing each of the partialrecord informations, at a time of reproducing the record information, isgenerated and outputted by the signal process device. Then, theprocessed partial record information and the additional information aremultiplexed by the multiplex device, so that the multiplexed processedrecord information is generated. Finally, the multiplexed processedrecord information is recorded onto the information record medium, bythe record device.

[0011] Accordingly, since the additional information including the stilltime information is recorded together with the processed partial recordinformation, by performing the still picture reproduction of the finalpicture of the partial record information on the-basis of the still timeinformation at a time of reproducing the record information, it ispossible to reproduce the final picture of the partial recordinformation as either the dynamic picture or the still picture, and alsopossible to perform the still picture reproduction in which the timeperiod or duration of the still picture reproduction is changed for eachof the partial record informations according to the author's intention.

[0012] As a result, it is possible to perform the variegatedreproduction for the record information while reducing the amount of therecorded information, at a time of reproducing the record information.

[0013] In one aspect of the information recording apparatus of thepresent invention, the still time information includes: time specifyingstill time information to perform the still picture reproduction of thefinal picture for a predetermined time period set in advance; andinfinite still time information to continue the still picturereproduction of the final picture until a still picture reproductioncancel signal to stop the still picture reproduction is inputted fromthe external during the still picture reproduction.

[0014] According to this aspect, since the still time informationincludes both of the time specifying still time information and theinfinite still time information, by controlling the reproduction on thebasis of one of these still time informations, it is possible to performthe still picture reproduction in which the time is specified accordingto the author's intention, and also possible to continue the stillpicture reproduction until the stop of the still picture reproduction isspecified by the audience.

[0015] In another aspect of the information recording apparatus of thepresent invention, the additional information further includes stillspecifying informations to perform, after reproducing divided partialrecord informations, such as GOPs (Group Of Pictures) etc., into whichthe processed partial record information is further divided, the stillpicture reproduction of the final picture contained in each of thedivided partial record informations.

[0016] According to this aspect, since the additional informationfurther includes the still specifying information, it is possible toperform the still picture reproduction for each of the divided partialrecord informations at a time of reproducing the record informationaccording to the author's intention.

[0017] In another aspect of the information recording apparatus of thepresent invention, the additional information includes a plurality ofstill time informations, which correspond to same one of the partialrecord informations and which respectively indicate times to perform thestill picture reproduction different from each other. And that, themultiplex device multiplexes the processed partial record informationand the additional information so as to record the additionalinformation at a record position on the information record medium, whichis different from a portion where the record information is recorded andwhich is reproduced prior to the reproduction of the record information.

[0018] According to this aspect, the additional information includes aplurality of still time informations corresponding to the same one ofthe partial record informations, and the multiplex device multiplexesthe processed record information and the additional information so as torecord the additional information at a record position on theinformation record medium, which is different from the portion where therecord information is recorded and which is reproduced prior to thereproduction of the record information. As a result, it is possible toreproduce one partial record information by various reproducingconditions in the number corresponding the number of still timeinformations. It is also possible to collectively select and obtain thestill time information or the still specifying information contained inthe additional information before reproducing the record information.

[0019] As a result, it is possible to effectively perform the stillpicture reproduction by obtaining in advance the still time informationor the still specifying information, and also possible to protect anerror operation of the still picture reproduction due to the mixedreproduction of the record information and the still time information orthe still specifying information, and further possible to reproduce onepartial record information by various reproducing conditions.

[0020] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved byan information record medium, such as the DVD etc., recorded with recordinformation to be reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus forreproducing the record information on the basis of additionalinformation recorded on the information record medium besides the recordinformation. The information record medium comprises a data structurestored in the information record medium and including: processed partialrecord information generated by applying a predetermined signal process,such as a process based on the MPEG 2 method etc., to each of partialrecord informations into which the record information is divided andwhich include at least video information; and still time information,which is included in the additional information and which indicates atime for performing a still picture reproduction of a final picture ofeach of the partial record informations, which is a picture included ineach of the partial record informations at a final portion thereof,after reproducing each of the partial record informations at a time ofreproducing the record information. The still time information is setfor each of the partial record informations And that, the processedpartial record information and the additional information aremultiplexed and recorded on the information record medium.

[0021] According to the information record medium of the presentinvention, since it has such a data structure that the processed partialrecord information and the additional information including the stilltime information are multiplexed, it is possible to reproduce the finalpicture of the partial record information as either the dynamic pictureor the still picture, and also possible to perform the still picturereproduction in which the time period or duration of the still picturereproduction is changed for each of the partial record informationsaccording to the author's intention.

[0022] As a result, it is possible to perform the variegatedreproduction for the record information while reducing the amount of therecorded information, at a time of reproducing the record information.

[0023] In one aspect of the information record medium of the presentinvention, the still time information includes: time specifying stilltime information to perform the still picture reproduction of the finalpicture for a predetermined time period set in advance; and infinitestill time information to continue the still picture reproduction of thefinal picture until a still picture reproduction cancel signal to stopthe still picture reproduction is inputted from the external during thestill picture reproduction.

[0024] According to this aspect, since the still time informationincludes the time specifying still time information and the infinitestill time information, it is possible to perform the still picturereproduction in which the time is specified according to the author'sintention, and also possible to continue the still picture reproductionuntil the stop of the still picture reproduction is specified by theaudience.

[0025] In another aspect of the information record medium of the presentinvention, the additional information further includes still specifyinginformation to perform, after reproducing divided partial recordinformations into which the processed partial record information isfurther divided, the still picture reproduction of the final picturecontained in each of the divided partial record informations.

[0026] According to this aspect, since the additional informationfurther includes the still specifying information, it is possible toperform the still picture reproduction for each of the divided partialrecord informations at a time of reproducing the record informationaccording to the author's intention.

[0027] In another aspect of the information record medium of the presentinvention, the additional information includes a plurality of still timeinformations, which correspond to same one of the partial recordinformations and which respectively indicate times to perform the stillpicture reproduction different from each other. And that, the additionalinformation is recorded at a record position on the information recordmedium, which is different from a portion where the record informationis recorded and which is reproduced prior to the reproduction of therecord information.

[0028] According to this aspect, it is possible to reproduce one partialrecord information by various reproducing conditions in the numbercorresponding the number of still time informations. It is also possibleto collectively select and obtain the still time information or thestill specifying information contained in the additional informationbefore reproducing the record information.

[0029] As a result, it is possible to effectively perform the stillpicture reproduction by obtaining in advance the still time informationor the still specifying information, and also possible to protect anerror operation of the still picture reproduction due to the mixedreproduction of the record information and the still time information orthe still specifying information, and further possible to reproduce onepartial record information by various reproducing conditions.

[0030] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved byan information reproducing apparatus for reproducing record informationfrom the above described information record medium of the presentinvention. The information reproducing apparatus is provided with: adetection and demodulation device, such as an optical pickup, ademodulation and error-correction unit etc., for detecting anddemodulating the processed partial record information and the additionalinformation from the information record medium to thereby output ademodulation signal; an extract device, such as a system buffer etc.,for extracting the additional information from the demodulation signal;and a control device, such as a system controller etc., for controllingthe still picture reproduction of the final picture of each of thepartial record informations, on the basis of the still time informationincluded in the extracted additional information.

[0031] According to the information reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention, the processed partial record information and the additionalinformation are detected and demodulated from the information recordmedium, so that the demodulation signal is outputted, by the detectionand demodulation device. Then, the additional information is extractedfrom the demodulation signal, by the extract device. Then, the stillpicture reproduction of the final picture of each of the partial recordinformations is controlled by the control device on the basis of thestill time information included in the extracted additional information.

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the final picture of thepartial record information as either the dynamic picture or the stillpicture, and also possible to perform the still picture reproduction inwhich the time period or duration of the still picture reproduction ischanged for each of the partial record informations according to theauthor's intention.

[0033] As a result, it is possible to perform the variegatedreproduction for the record information while reducing the amount of therecorded information, at a time of reproducing the record information.

[0034] In one aspect of the information reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention, the additional information further includes stillspecifying information to perform, after reproducing divided partialrecord informations, such as the GOPs etc., into which the processedpartial record information is further divided, the still picturereproduction of the final picture contained in each of the dividedpartial record informations. And that, the control device controls thestill picture reproduction of the final picture included in each of thedivided partial record informations on the basis of the still specifyinginformation.

[0035] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform the stillpicture reproduction for each of the divided partial record informationsat a time of reproducing the record information according to theauthor's intention.

[0036] In another aspect of the information reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention, the additional information includes a plurality ofstill time informations, which correspond to same one of the partialrecord informations and which respectively indicate times to perform thestill picture reproduction different from each other. And that, thecontrol device controls the detection and demodulation device and theextract device to reproduce the additional information prior to thereproduction of the record information other than the additionalinformation.

[0037] According to this aspect, it is possible to reproduce one partialrecord information by various reproducing conditions in the numbercorresponding the number of still time informations. It is also possibleto collectively select and obtain the still time information or thestill specifying information contained in the additional informationbefore reproducing the record information.

[0038] As a result, it is possible to effectively perform the stillpicture reproduction by obtaining in advance the still time informationor the still specifying information, and also possible to protect anerror operation of the still picture reproduction due to the mixedreproduction of the record information and the still time information orthe still specifying information, and further possible to reproduce onepartial record information by various reproducing conditions.

[0039] In another aspect of the information reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention, the still time information includes: time specifyingstill time information to perform the still picture reproduction of thefinal picture for a predetermined time period set in advance; andinfinite still time information to continue the still picturereproduction of the final picture until a still picture reproductioncancel signal to stop the still picture reproduction is inputted fromthe external during the still picture reproduction. And that, thecontrol device controls the still picture reproduction of the finalpicture, on the basis of the time specifying still time information andthe infinite still time information.

[0040] As a result, it is possible to perform the still picturereproduction which time is specified by the author's intention, and alsopossible to continue the still picture reproduction until the stopinstruction of the still picture reproduction is given by the audience.

[0041] In this aspect, it is preferable that: the informationreproducing apparatus is further provided with an input device forinputting the still picture reproduction cancel signal therethrough; andthe control device controls the still picture reproduction cancel signalto be ineffective when the still picture reproduction cancel signal isinputted through the input device in case that the still picturereproduction of the final picture is performed on the basis of the timespecifying still time information, and to be effective when the stillpicture reproduction cancel signal is inputted through the input devicein case that the still picture reproduction of the final picture isperformed on the basis of the infinite still time information.

[0042] According to this aspect, the still picture reproduction cancelsignal is inputted through the input device. Then, the control devicecontrols the still picture reproduction cancel signal to be ineffectivewhen the still picture reproduction cancel signal is inputted in casethat the still picture reproduction of the final picture is performed onthe basis of the time specifying still time information, and to beeffective when the still picture reproduction cancel signal is inputtedin case that the still picture reproduction of the final picture isperformed on the basis of the infinite still time information.

[0043] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the time period or durationof the still picture reproduction, which is specified by the timespecifying still time information, from being cut or shortenedcarelessly, and also possible to stop the still picture reproduction bythe audience's intention in case that the still picture reproduction ofthe final picture is performed on the basis of the infinite still timeinformation since the still picture reproduction cancel signal is madeeffective.

[0044] As a result, it is possible to perform the reproductionreflecting the author's intention, as well as the reproductionreflecting the audience's intention.

[0045] In this case, it is preferable that: the information reproducingapparatus is further provided with a display device; and the controldevice controls the display device to display such a message that thestill picture reproduction cancel signal is ineffective when the stillpicture reproduction cancel signal is inputted through the input devicein case that the still picture reproduction of the final picture isperformed on the basis of the time specifying still time information.

[0046] As a result, since the message is displayed under the control ofthe control device, it is possible for the audience to recognize thatthe still picture reproduction cancel signal is ineffective in thiscase. Thus, it is possible to perform the reproduction of the recordinformation which operation condition can be easily understood by theaudience.

[0047] In this case, it is also preferable that: the informationreproducing apparatus is further provided with a display device; and thecontrol device controls the display device to display such a messagethat the still picture reproduction cancel signal is effective when thestill picture reproduction cancel signal is inputted through the inputdevice in case that the still picture reproduction of the final pictureis performed on the basis of the infinite still time information.

[0048] As a result, since the message is displayed under the control ofthe control device, it is possible for the audience to recognize thatthe still picture reproduction cancel signal is effective in this case.Thus, it is possible to perform the reproduction of the recordinformation which operation condition can be easily understood by theaudience.

[0049] The nature, utility, and further features of this invention willbe more clearly apparent from the following detailed description withrespect to preferred embodiments of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a physical structure of recordinformation of a DVD as one embodiment of the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing frame pictures constructing a GOP;

[0052]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a logical structure of the recordinformation of the DVD in FIG. 1;

[0053]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of PGCI in theembodiment;

[0054]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of still picturereproduction information in the embodiment;

[0055]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of an interleaved unit ofthe DVD in FIG. 1;

[0056]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an information recording apparatus asone embodiment of the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an information reproducing apparatusas another embodiment of the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a still picture reproducing operation ofthe information reproducing apparatus of the embodiment;

[0059]FIG. 10A is a table showing operations performed when a still keyor pause key is operated in the information reproducing apparatus of theembodiment;

[0060]FIG. 10B is a flow chart showing an operation performed when thestill key or pause key is operated in the information reproducingapparatus of the embodiment; and

[0061]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation of an informationreproducing apparatus, which is not equipped with both of a still keyand a pause key, in the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of thepresent invention will be now explained. The following explanations willbe done for the embodiments, in which the present invention is appliedto the aforementioned DVD.

[0063] In the following embodiments, constitutional elements listed on aright hand side in a following list respectively construct examples ofconstitutional elements of the present invention listed on a left handside in the following list. information GOP partial record informationsubstantial portion such as video data etc. to construct a cell, beforea predetermined process processed partial substantial portion such asvideo record information data etc. in the cell other than a navi-packstill time information, and still time period specifying time specifyingor infinite information still time information still specifyingreproduction control information information still picture reproductioncancel signal cancel signal

[0064] (I) Embodiment of Information Record Medium

[0065] First of all, a physical structure and a logical structure aswell as an operation of a DVD, as one embodiment of the informationrecord medium to which the present invention is applied, will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0066] At first, a record format of video information and audioinformation on the DVD (i.e. a physical record format) is explained byuse of FIG. 1.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, a DVD 1 as the present embodiment is providedwith a lead in area LI at its most inner circumferential portion and alead out area L0 at its most outer circumferential portion, betweenwhich video information and audio information are recorded such thatthey are divided into a plurality of VTSs 3, each of which has a uniqueID (Identification) number (i.e. VTS#1 to VTS#n). Here, the VTS (VideoTitle Set) 3 is a set (bundle) of titles (each of which is oneproduction or one work which an author or producer intends to offer tothe audience), which are related to each other (e.g., which attribute,such as the number, the specification, the corresponding languages etc.of the audio information and sub picture information included therein,is the same to each other). More concretely, a plurality of movies whichare related to the same movie to each other but which languages ofserifs (lines) are different from each other may be recorded asdifferent titles respectively, or even in case of the same movies, thetheater version and the special version may be recorded as differenttitles respectively. Ahead of the area where the VTSs 3 are recorded, avideo manager 2 is recorded as shown in FIG. 1. As the informationrecorded in the video manager 2, for example, information related to thewhole video and audio information recorded on the DVD 1, such as a menufor showing a name of each title, information for preventing an illegalcopy, an access table for accessing each title and so on, is recorded.

[0068] One VTS 3 is recorded such that it is divided into a plurality ofVOBs 10, each of which has an ID number (VOB ID#1, VOB ID#2, . . . ),and control data 11 disposed ahead of the VOBs 10. Here, a data portionconstructed by a plurality of VOBs 10 is defined as a VOB set (VOBS) asshown in FIG. 1. This VOB set is defined to distinguish the VOB 10,which constructs one portion of the VTS 3 as the substantial portion ofthe video and audio information, from the control data 11, whichconstructs another portion of the VTS 3.

[0069] In the control data 11 recorded at the head of the VTS 3,information such as PGCI (ProGram Chain Information), which is variousinformation related to a program chain as a logical division obtained bycombining a plurality of cells (the “cell” will be described later indetail), is recorded. In each VOB 10, the substantial portion of thevideo and audio information (i.e. the video and audio information itselfother than control information) besides the control information arerecorded.

[0070] Further, one VOB 10 is constructed of a plurality of cells 20,each of which has an ID number (cell ID#1, , cell ID#2, . . . ). Here,one VOB 10 is constructed such that it is completed by the plurality ofcells 20 and that one cell 20 does not strides over two VOBs 10.

[0071] Nextly, one cell 20 is constructed of a plurality of VOB units(VOBUs) 30, each of which has an ID number (VOBU#1, VOBU#2, . . . Here,the VOB unit 30 is an information unit, each of which includes at leastone of the video information, the audio information and sub pictureinformation (which is defined as information of a sub picture such as asubtitle of a movie etc.), or each of which includes only anavi(navigation)-pack described later.

[0072] One VOB unit 30 is provided with: a navi-pack (a navigation pack)41 for storing control information to control the video information etc.included in the pertinent VOB unit 30, as a control object; a video data42 as the video information: an audio data 43 as the audio information;and a sub picture data 44 as the sub picture information. Here, in apack P for the video data 42, only the video data is recorded. In a packP for the audio data 43, only the audio data is recorded. Further, in apack P for the sub picture data 44, only graphic data of a character, adiagram or the like as the sub picture, is recorded. In the video packs42, which data amount is relatively large as shown in FIG. 1, one or aplurality of GOPs are recorded within one VOB unit 30. The audio data 43and the sub picture data 44 are disposed intermittently between thevideo packs 42. These video data 42, audio data 43 and sub picture data44 are not collectively recorded respectively, but are divided into aplurality of pieces and are recorded in each VOB unit 30 respectively.

[0073] It is prescribed by a standard specification of the DVD thatthere are 8 kinds of audio recordable on the DVD 1 while 32 kinds of subpicture recordable on the DVD 1.

[0074] These data are recorded such that the reproduction timecorresponding to one VOB unit 30 (i.e. the reproduction timecorresponding to the data recorded between one navi-pack 41 and anothernavi-pack 41 adjacent to said one navi-pack 41) is not shorter than 0.4seconds.

[0075] Further, there always exists the navi-pack 41 in one VOBU 30 atthe head thereof. On the other hand, there may not exist each of thevideo data 42, the audio data 43 and the sub picture data 44 in one VOBU30, or, even in case that the packs P for these data exist in one VOBU30, the number of the packs P and the order of the packs P are freelydetermined.

[0076] Here, a division of each of the video data 42, the audio data 43and the sub picture data 44 as shown in FIG. 1, is called as a pack P.Namely, in one VOB unit 30, the video data 42, the audio data 43 and thesub picture data 44 are divided into packs P respectively and recorded,wherein the pack P in which the video data 42 is recorded is called as avideo pack, the pack P in which the audio data 43 is recorded is calledas an audio pack, and the pack P in which the sub picture data 44 isrecorded is called as a sub picture pack. These packs P are record unitsset in correspondence with a packing process in the MPEG 2 method, whichis employed at the time of recording the record information onto the DVD1 in the present embodiment.

[0077] Further, a reading start time information, which is called as aSCR (System Clock Reference), a start code indicating a start of thepack P and the like are recorded at a pack header recorded at the headof each pack P. This SCR indicates a reading start time on a time axisof reproduction time, at which reading the data included in each pack Pfrom the track buffer in the reproducing apparatus described later andinputting the read data into each buffer are to be started. On the otherhand, as for each pack P, the video data 42, the audio data 43 or thesub picture data 44 is recorded in each packet, which is generally arecord unit obtained by dividing the pack P more finely. In the DVD 1 ofthe present embodiment, one pack P consists of one packet PT in general.

[0078] Finally, the navi-pack 41 is provided with: a DSI (Data SearchInformation) data 51 in a packet PT including search information tosearch a video image or an audio sound desired to be displayed orsound-outputted (concretely, search information such as an address,where the video or audio to be displayed or sound-outputted is recorded,on the DVD 1); and a PCI (Presentation Control Information) data 50 in apacket PT including information related to a display control at a timeof displaying the video image or outputting the audio sound, which issearched on the basis of the information of the DSI data 51. Here, theDSI data 51 and the PCI data 50 construct, as the packets, a DSI packetand a PCI packet respectively, and then are recorded. Further, all videodata 42 included in one VOBU 30 consist of at least one GOP (Group OfPictures) each having an ID number.

[0079] In the PCI data 50, high light information, which defines adisplay or operation at a time when one selection item is selected outof selection items by the audience, is included. By the high lightinformation, for example, the change of the picture plane display for aselection item as well as the display position to be changed incorrespondence with the selection item, on a special picture plane ofselection items (i.e. a so-called menu picture plane) for the audienceto select, and the command corresponding to the selected item (i.e. acommand to be performed in correspondence with the selected item) areset.

[0080] Further, the video information to construct and display a frame,a selection button and the like, which is required to construct anddisplay the menu picture plane, is recorded in the sub picture data 44as the sub picture information.

[0081] On the other hand, the above described GOP is a minimum pictureunit, which can be independently reproduced and which is determined by astandard based on the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 method. TheMPEG 2 method is a picture compression method adopted at a time ofrecording the video information onto the DVD 1 in the presentembodiment.

[0082] Here, the outline of the MPEG 2 method is explained. Namely, ingeneral, frame pictures forward and backward of one frame picture incontinuous frame pictures are often resembled to each other and havemutual relationships. The MPEG 2 method is a method, which is proposedby paying an attention to this fact, and which generates one framepicture existing between a plurality of frame pictures on the basis ofthe plurality of frame pictures transferred while they are timelyseparated by a few or several frames from each other, by means of aninterpolating calculation based on moving vectors etc. of the originalpicture. In this case, if this one frame picture is to be recorded, itis enough to just record the information as for a differential vectorand a moving vector thereof with respect to the plurality of framepictures, so as to reproduce this one frame picture by estimating itfrom the plurality of frame pictures with referring to these vectors, ata time of reproduction. By this, the compression recording is enabledwith respect to the picture.

[0083] Further, the scheme of the above explained GOP is explained withreference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an example of a plurality of framepictures constituting one GOP. In FIG. 2, a case where one GOP 52consists of 12 frame pictures is illustrated (in the MPEG 2 method, thenumber of the frame pictures included in one GOP 52 is not fixed), forexample. Among those frame pictures, a frame picture indicated by areference sign “I” is called as an I picture (Intra-coded picture),which is defined as a frame picture able to be reproduced as a completeframe picture by use of its own picture information. A frame pictureindicated by a reference sign “P” is called as a P picture(Predictive-coded picture), which is defined as a frame picturepredicted or generated by decoding a difference from a predictivepicture compensated and reproduced on the basis of the already decoded Ipicture or other picture. A frame picture indicated by a reference sign“B” is called as a B picture (Bidirectionally Predictive-coded picture),which is defined as a frame picture predicted or reproduced by use ofnot only the already decoded I picture or P picture but also the Ipicture or P picture which is recorded on the optical disk timely in thefuture relative to the pertinent B picture. In FIG. 2, the relationshipin the prediction (i.e. the relationship in the compensation) betweenthe respective pictures are indicated by arrows.

[0084] The MPEG 2 method used in the DVD 1 of the present embodimentemploys a variable rate method, in which the data amount included ineach GOP is not constant. Namely, in case that the respective picturesincluded in one GOP 52 correspond to a moving picture, which movingspeed is rather fast and that the mutual relationship between therespective pictures is relatively small, the data amount constitutingthe respective pictures is increased, so that the data amount includedin one GOP 52 is also increased. On the other hand, in case that therespective pictures included in one GOP 52 correspond to a movingpicture which moving speed is rather slow and that the mutualrelationship between the respective pictures is relatively large, thedata amount constituting the respective pictures is decreased, so thatthe data amount included in one GOP 52 is also decreased.

[0085] In the above explained record format having a hierarchicalstructure as shown in FIG. 1, each division can be freely set accordingto the author's intention, so as to perform recording on the basis ofthese set divisions. By performing the reproduction on the basis of alater described logical structure for each of these divisions, thevariegated reproduction can be performed.

[0086] Nextly, a logical format (logical structure) constructed bycombining the information recorded by the physical divisions shown inFIG. 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 3. The information is notactually recorded on the DVD 1 in the logical structure of FIG. 3.Instead, information (e.g. access information or time information) toreproduce each data shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by combining them (especiallycombining the cells 20) in the logical structure shown in FIG. 3, isrecorded on the DVD 1, especially in the control data 11.

[0087] To make the explanation clear, the following explanation is madefrom the lower hierarchical layer in FIG. 3. One program 60 is logicallyconstructed on the basis of the author's intention by selecting andcombining a plurality of cells 20 among the physical structuresexplained by use of FIG. 1. The program 60 is also a minimum logicalunit, which division can be identified by a system controller of areproducing apparatus described later and which can be accessed by useof a command by the system controller. It is also possible for theauthor to define a gathering of one or more programs 60 as a minimumunit, which can be freely selected to be watched or listened to by theaudience and which is referred to as a PTT (ParT of Title).

[0088] Since one program 60 is logically constructed by selecting aplurality of cells 20, it is possible to use one cell commonly for aplurality of programs 60, namely to perform a so-called “alternativeusage” of the cell 20 in which one cell 20 is reproduced in a pluralityof different programs 60.

[0089] Here, as for the number of each cell 20, at a time of treatingthe cell 20 on the physical format shown in FIG. 1, the number istreated as the cell ID number (which is indicated by cell ID 4 in FIG.1). On the other hand, at a time of treating the cell 20 on the logicalformat shown in FIG. 3, the number is treated as the cell number in theorder of description in the PGCI described later.

[0090] Next, by combining a plurality of programs 60, one PGC (ProgramChain) 61 is logically constructed on the basis of the author'sintention. The aforementioned PGCI (ProGram Chain Information) isdefined by a unit of the PGC 61. The PGCI includes informationindicating: the reproduction order for each program 60 at a time ofreproducing each program 60 (by this reproduction order, a uniqueprogram number (#1, #2, . . . ) is assigned to each program 60); thereproduction order for each cell 20 (by this reproduction order, aunique cell number is assigned to each cell 20); an address which is arecord position of each cell 20 on the DVD 1; the number of the cell 20positioned at the head of one program 60 to be firstly reproduced; areproduction method for each program 60 [it is possible for the authorto select one reproduction method out of (i) a random reproduction(which is a random reproduction by use of random numbers, and the sameprogram 60 may be reproduced by a plurality of times), (ii) a shufflereproduction (which is a random reproduction by use of random numbers inthe same manner as the random reproduction, but one program 60 isreproduced just once but not reproduced by a plurality of times), (iii)a loop reproduction (which is a reproduction to reproduce one PGC 61repeatedly), and (iv) a combination of the loop reproduction with therandom reproduction or the shuffle reproduction, as a reproductionmethod to be employed at a time of reproduction]; still picturereproduction control information described later in detail, which is thefeature of the present invention; and various commands (e.g. commandsable to be specified by the author for each PGC 61 or each cell 20). Therecording position of the PGCI on the DVD 1 may be in the control data11 as aforementioned, or in a control data (not illustrated) in thevideo manager 2 if the pertinent PGCI is related to the menu in thevideo manager 2 (refer to FIG. 1).

[0091] In one PGC 61, the substantial video and audio data etc. areincluded as a combination of the programs 60 (in other words, thecombination of the cells 20) other than the above mentioned PGCI.

[0092] Further, in one PGC 61, it is possible to perform the alternativeusage of the cell 20 as explained before in the explanation for theprogram 60 (i.e. such a usage that the same cell 20 is commonly used bya plurality of different PGC 61). As the method of reproducing the cell20 to be used, the author can select a method of reproducing the cells20 in an order regardless of the recording order on the DVD 1 (i.e. themethod of reproducing the cells discontinuously arranged, for example,the method of reproducing the cell 20 prior which is recorded posterioron the record track) other than a method of reproducing the cell 20 inthe recording order on the record track on the DVD 1 as it is (i.e. themethod of reproducing the cells continuously arranged).

[0093] Then, one title 62 is logically constructed of one or a pluralityof PGCs 61 (PGC #1, PGC#2, . . . ) as shown in FIG. 3. The title 62 is,for example, a unit corresponding to one movie, and is completedinformation which the author would like to offer to the audience of theDVD 1.

[0094] Finally, one VTS 63 is logically constructed of one or aplurality of titles 62 (title #1, title #2, . . . ) as shown in FIG. 3.The title 62 included in the VTS 63 has the attributes common to eachother. For example, the movies based on one movie but in differentlanguages correspond to the respective titles 62. The informationincluded in one VTS 63 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to informationincluded in one VTS 3 shown in FIG. 1. Namely, all information includedin the logical VTS 63 shown in FIG. 4 is recorded as one VTS 3 in theDVD 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0095] As the author specifies the information divided in the physicalstructure on the DVD 1 on the basis of the above described logicalformat, the video image (e.g. the movie image) for the audience to watchis to be formed.

[0096] The structure of the PGCI 64, in which the above mentioned stillpicture reproduction control information is included, is explained withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 4, the PGCI 64 contains cell information 65 tocontrol the reproduction of each cell 20 included in the program 60corresponding to each control information contained in the pertinentPGCI 64, by a number corresponding to the number of the cells 20included in the PGC 61. Then, each cell information 65 has the abovementioned still picture reproduction information to, after reproducingthe cell 20 by a unit of the cell 20, perform a still picturereproduction of the picture at a final frame of the cell 20, at a timeof reproduction. This still picture reproduction information is actuallydescribed in the cell information 65 for each cell 20. When they areintegrated for each PGC 61, each of them is as shown in FIG. 5.

[0098] That is, as shown in FIG. 5, still picture reproductioninformation 66 corresponding to one PGC 61 comprises: cell number data66A indicative of the number (n) of the cells 20, which are logicallyincluded in the pertinent PGC 61; cell top address data 66B indicativeof a top address on the DVD 1 at which each cell 20 is recorded; cellsize data 66C for each cell 20 indicative of the size of each cell 20(i.e., the data amount included in each cell 20): cell reproductioncontrol information data 66D for each cell 20, which indicates whetherthe reproduction of the video or audio information included in each cell20 is continuously performed or is automatically moved to the stillpicture reproduction by the unit of GOP 52 constituting each cell 20, atthe time of reproduction; and still time period specifying informationdata 66E for each cell 20 indicative of a time period or duration of thestill picture reproduction at the final picture after reproducing thevideo or audio information included in each cell 20.

[0099] Each cell reproduction control information data 66D among themcomprises a flag of one bit for example, and is information to indicatewhether the reproduction is continuously performed within thecorresponding cell 20, or is temporarily stopped for each GOP 52constituting the pertinent cell 20 so as to perform the still picturereproduction for each pertinent GOP 52. The meanings of the flags are,for example, as follows.

[0100] Flag [0]: The reproduction is continuously performed within thecorresponding cell 20.

[0101] Flag [1]: the reproduction is temporarily stopped or interruptedfor each GOP 52 included in the corresponding cell 20, so as to performthe still picture reproduction.

[0102] Incidentally, the time period or duration during which the stillpicture reproduction is to be performed is not specified in case of theflag [1]. Then, the still picture reproduction is continued until theaudience inputs a cancel signal for interrupting the temporal stop(still picture reproduction). In case of the flag [1], it is possible todefine for each VOB unit 30 to perform the still picture reproduction.

[0103] Next, the still time period specifying information data 66Ecomprises, for example, one byte information, and describes, in order totemporarily stop a final picture at a time when the reproduction for thecorresponding cell 20 is finished and then to perform the still picturereproduction for a constant time until a next reproduced cell 20 isreproduced, a value of this constant time. More actually, for example,it describes the information defined as below.

[0104] (i) Still time period specifying information [0]:

[0105] After the corresponding cell 20 is reproduced, the still picturereproduction is not performed.

[0106] (ii) Still time period specifying information [1] to [254]:

[0107] After the corresponding cell 20 is reproduced, the still picturereproduction is performed for a period of (reproduction time specifyinginformation)×1 (second), so that the still picture reproduction for thefinal picture is performed for the appropriate time.

[0108] (iii) Still time period specifying information [255]:

[0109] The still picture reproduction is performed without the specifiedtime (until the cancel signal is inputted to interrupt the still picturereproduction), so that the still picture reproduction for the finalpicture is performed (so-called “infinite” still picture reproduction).

[0110] As defined in the above manner, in the cell 20 indicated by thestill time period specifying information [0], the final picture thereofis reproduced as a dynamic picture. On the other hand, in the cell 20indicated by the still time period specifying information [1] to [255],the final picture thereof is reproduced as the still picture.

[0111] The above explained still picture reproduction information 66 isrecorded within the PGCI 64, which is located at a position differentfrom the substantial portion of the video information and the audioinformation. Thus, an operation of an information reproducing apparatusdescribed later, on the basis of the cell reproduction controlinformation data 66D and the still time period specifying informationdata 66E, enables the still picture reproduction at any positionaccording to the author's intention.

[0112] The still picture reproduction information 66 shown in FIG. 5 candescribe only one still picture reproduction information 66 for one cell20, and can describe a plurality of still picture reproductioninformations 66 for one cell 20 as well. In this case, the informationreproducing apparatus described later can implement plural types ofstill picture reproductions for one cell 20.

[0113] In the explanations for the physical structure shown in FIG. 1,for the easy understanding of the content, it has been explained suchthat a plurality of cells 20 are recorded in the order of the IDnumbers. However, in the DVD 1 of the present embodiment, one cell 20may be divided into a plurality of interleaved units IU to be actuallyrecorded on the DVD 1, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0114] Namely, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the authorconstructs one PGC 61A of the cells 20 having the ID numbers 1, 2 and 4,and constructs another PGC 61B of the cells 20 having the ID numbers 1,3 and 4. In this case, at a time of reproducing the information from theDVD 1 on the basis of the PGC 61A, only the cells having the ID numbers1, 2 and 4 are reproduced, while, at a time of reproducing theinformation from the DVD 1 on the basis of the PGC 61B, only the cells20 having the ID numbers 1, 3 and 4 are reproduced. In the case of thePGC 61A for example, if the cells 20 are recorded spaced from each otherfor each ID number, a certain time period to jump the optical pickupfrom the record position of the cell 20 having the ID number 2 on theDVD 1 to the record position of the cell 20 having the ID number 4 onthe DVD 1 is required in the reproduction. This results in that thecontinuous reproduction (hereinafter, it is referred to as a “seamlessreproduction”) of the cell 20 having the ID number 2 and the cell 20having the ID number 4 may not be possible depending on a capacity of atrack buffer of the reproducing apparatus described later.

[0115] Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 6, the cell 20 having the IDnumber 2 and the cell having the ID number 3 are divided intointerleaved units IU and are recorded by the interleaved units IU, eachhaving a length, which does not destroy the continuity of an outputsignal of the track buffer even if an input signal to the track bufferis temporarily stopped, in correspondence with an input and outputprocessing speeds at a track buffer of the reproducing apparatusdescribed later (i.e. the interleaved units IU, each having a lengthwhich allows the track buffer to continuously output the output signaleven if the input signal to the track buffer is ceased while the opticalpickup jumps for the interval of one interleaved unit IU). For example,in case of reproduction based on the PGC 61A, only the interleaved unitsIU constructing the cell 20 corresponding to the ID number 2 arecontinuously detected to be reproduced. In the same manner, in case ofreproduction based on the PGC 61B, only the interleaved units IUconstructing the cell 20 corresponding to the ID number 3 arecontinuously detected to be reproduced. The length of the interleavedunit IU may be determined with considering the capability of a drivingmechanism such as a slider motor to perform the track jump, in additionto the memory capacity of the track buffer.

[0116] In this manner, by dividing one cell 20 into a plurality ofinterleaved units IU and recording them according to the author'sintention, the signal outputted from the track buffer can be continuouseven at a time of reproducing the PGC 61 including the cells 20 havingthe discontinuous ID numbers, so that it is possible for the audience towatch continuous reproduction video image.

[0117] Each interleaved unit IU is completed in one VOB 10, and does notstride over two adjacent VOBs 10. As for the relationship between theinterleaved unit IU and the VOB unit 30, one or a plurality of VOB units30 are included in one interleaved unit IU. One VOB unit 30 is completedin one interleaved unit IU, and is not divided into a plurality ofinterleaved units IU or does not strides over a plurality of interleavedunits IU.

[0118] Since it is necessary to record the information at varioushierarchy classes explained above, the record information having theabove explained recording format is suitable for an information recordmedium having a large memory capacity, such as the aforementioned DVD 1,which memory capacity is so large that audio voices or subtitles invarious kinds of languages in addition to the movie itself can berecorded on a single optical disk as for the audio voice or subtitle ofthe movie.

[0119] (II) Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

[0120] Next, an embodiment of recording apparatus for recording theabove mentioned control information, video information and audioinformation onto the DVD 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

[0121] At first, a construction and an operation of the recordingapparatus as the embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 7.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 7, a recording apparatus SS1 as the presentembodiment is provided with: a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 70; a memory71; a signal process unit 71; a hard disk (HD) device 73; a hard disk(HD) device 74; a controller 75; a multiplexer 76; a modulator 77; and amastering device 78.

[0123] Nextly, an operation of the present embodiment is explained.

[0124] Record information R, which is a raw material such as audioinformation, video information etc. to be recorded on the DVD 1 (whichincludes the above mentioned video data 42, sub picture data 44 andaudio data 43), is temporarily recorded in the VTR 70. Then, the recordinformation R temporarily record in the VTR 70 is outputted to thesignal process unit 72 by a request from the signal process unit 72.

[0125] The signal process unit 72 applies an A/D (Analog to Digital)converting process and a signal compressing process by the MPEG 2 methodto the record information R outputted from the VTR 70, andtime-axis-multiplexes the audio information and the video information tooutput it as a compressed multiplexed signal Sr. After that, thecompressed multiplexed signal Sr outputted therefrom is temporarilystored into the hard disk device 73.

[0126] Along with this, the memory 71 classifies the record informationR into a plurality of information units such as the cell 20, the VOBunit 30 and so on, on the physical structure shown in FIG. 1, inadvance, and temporarily stores various control informations which areinputted beforehand on the basis of a cue sheet ST, on which additionalinformations, such as various control informations including the stillpicture reproduction information 66 shown in FIG. 5 for each of theinformation units (e.g. the video manager 2, the control data 11including the PGCI 64, the navi-pack 41 (the PCI data 50 and the DSIdata 51) and so on, in FIG. 1) are written. Then, the memory 71 outputsit as a control information signal Si on the basis of a request from thesignal process unit 72.

[0127] Then, the signal process unit 72 generates and outputs areproduction control information signal Sac, which includes the controldata 11 corresponding to each information unit with referring to a timecode Tt, on the basis of the time code Tt corresponding to the recordinformation R outputted from the VTR 70 and the control informationsignal Si outputted from the memory 71. Then, the reproduction controlinformation signal Sac is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 74.At this time, although illustrations of the control informations storedin the memory 71 other than the control data 11 are omitted in FIG. 7,they are generated in the signal process unit 72, and are stored in thehard disk device 74, in the same manner as the control data 11.

[0128] The above described processes are performed with respect to thewhole record information R.

[0129] When the above described processes are finished as for the wholerecord information R, the controller 75 reads out the compressedmultiplexed signal Sr from the hard disk device 73, reads out thereproduction control information signal Sac from the hard disk device74, generates the control information again on the basis of these readout signals, and stores it into the hard disk device 74. This is becausethere may be a control signal, which content is determined in dependenceupon a generation result of the compressed multiplexed signal Sr amongvarious control signals.

[0130] On the other hand, the controller 75 performs a time managementfor each of the operations of the signal process unit 72, the hard diskdevice 73 and the hard disk device 74, and reads out the reproductioncontrol information signal Sac including the control data 11, from thehard disk device 74, so that the controller 75 generates and outputs anadditional information signal Sa corresponding to the read outreproduction control information signal Sac, and generates and outputsan information selection signal Scc to time-axis-multiplex thecompressed multiplexed signal Sr and the additional information signalSa.

[0131] After that, the compressed multiplexed signal Sr (whichrespectively includes the video data 42, the sub picture data 44 and theaudio data 43 for each stream) and the additional information signal Saare time-axis-multiplexed by the multiplexer 76 to be outputted as aninformation added compressed multiplexed signal Sap. At the stage ofthis information added compressed multiplexed signal Sap, the recordinformation R has the physical structure shown in FIG. 1, and the stillpicture reproduction information 66 is included in the correspondingPGCI 64. Further, the control data 1 including this PGCI 64 ismultiplexed such that it is recorded at the inner circumferential sideof the recording position on the DVD 1 where the VOB 10 is recorded foreach VTS 3.

[0132] If there exists the sub picture information to be recorded, it isinputted, by other means such as a hard disk device not illustrated, tothe signal process unit 72, so that it is processed in the same manneras the video and audio information thereat.

[0133] Then, the modulator 77 adds an error correction code (ECC), suchas a Reed Solomon code, and applies a modulation such as an eight tosixteen (8-16) modulation with respect to the information addedcompressed multiplexed signal Sap outputted from the multiplexer 76, andgenerates and outputs a disk record signal Sm to the mastering device78.

[0134] Finally, the mastering device 78 records the disk record signalSm to a stamper disk, which becomes a master (i.e. a cutting dye) forthe production of an optical disk. Then, by use of this stamper disk, anoptical disk as a replica disk, which can be on sale in the generalmarket, i.e. the DVD 1, can be produced by a-replication device notillustrated.

[0135] According to the above explained recording apparatus SS1, thestill picture reproduction information 66 to control the still picturereproduction for each cell 20 or GOP 52 is recorded on the PGCI 64.Thus, by performing the still picture reproduction of the final pictureof the cell 20 on the basis of the still picture reproductioninformation 66 at a time of reproducing the record information R, it ispossible to reproduce the final picture included in the cell 20 as thestill picture as well as the dynamic or moving picture. And that, it isalso possible to perform the still picture reproduction in which thetime period of the still picture reproduction can be changed for eachcell 20.

[0136] Moreover, the still time period specifying information data 66Econtains both of the still time period specifying information, in whichthe still time period is specified, and the still time period specifyinginformation, in which the still time period is not specified. Thus, bycontrolling the reproduction on the basis of each still time periodspecifying information data 66E, it is possible to perform the stillpicture reproduction in which the time period is specified, and alsopossible to continue the still picture reproduction until the stop ofthe still picture reproduction is specified by the audience.

[0137] Further, since the still picture reproduction information 66 alsocontains the cell reproduction control information data 66D, it ispossible to perform the still picture reproduction for each GOP 52 at atime of reproducing the record information R.

[0138] Furthermore, the multiplexer 76 multiplexes the compressedmultiplex signal Sr and the still picture reproduction information 66,so as to record the still picture reproduction information 66 at arecording position on the DVD 1, which is different from the recordingposition where the record information R is recorded and which isreproduced prior to the reproduction of the record information R, namelyat the inner circumferential side of the DVD. As a result, it ispossible to collectively obtain the cell reproduction controlinformation data 66D or the still time period specifying informationdata 66E contained in the still picture reproduction information 66before reproducing the record information R.

[0139] Further, in case that a plurality of still picture reproductioninformations 66 are defined for one cell 20, it is possible to implementa plurality types of still picture reproductions for one cell 20, in theinformation reproducing apparatus as described later.

[0140] (III) Embodiment of Reproducing Apparatus

[0141] Next, an embodiment of reproducing apparatus for reproducing theinformation recorded on the DVD 1 by the above mentioned recordingapparatus SS1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0142] At first, a construction and an operation of the reproducingapparatus as the embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 8.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 8, a reproducing apparatus SS2 as the presentembodiment is provided with: an optical pickup 80; a demodulate andcorrect unit 81; stream switches 82 and 84; a track buffer 83; a systembuffer 85; a demultiplexer 86; a VBV (Video Buffer Verifier) buffer 87;a video decoder 88; a sub picture buffer 89; a sub picture decoder 90; amixer 91; an audio buffer 92; an audio decoder 93; a PCI (PresentationControl Information) buffer 94; a PCI decoder 95; a high light buffer96; a high light decoder 97; an input unit 98; a display unit 99; asystem controller 100; a drive controller 101; a spindle motor 102; anda slider motor 103. The construction shown in FIG. 8 only illustratesthe portions related to the video and audio reproduction of thereproducing apparatus SS2. The description and the detailed explanationas for servo circuits to servo-control the optical pickup 80, thespindle motor 102, the slider motor 103 and the like are omitted sincethey are constructed in the same manner as the conventional arts.

[0144] The input unit 98 is provided with: a still key 98A to perform aso-called still reproduction (i.e., such a reproduction that one picturein the dynamic or moving pictures, which is being reproduced, istemporarily stopped and is still-picture-reproduced); and a pause key98B to perform a so-called pause reproduction (i.e., such a reproductionthat the reproduction itself is temporarily stopped, and the picture isnot displayed (more concretely, the video signal Svp is not outputted tothe display section which is not illustrated)).

[0145] Nextly, an overall operation of the present embodiment isexplained.

[0146] The optical pickup 80 includes a laser diode, a polarization beamsplitter, an objective lens, a photo-detector and the like notillustrated, and irradiates a light beam B as a reproduction light withrespect to the DVD 1. The optical pickup 80 receives a reflection lightof the light beam B from the DVD 1, and outputs a detection signal Spcorresponding to information pits formed on the DVD 1. At this time, thetracking servo control and the focus servo control are operated withrespect to the objective lens etc. of the optical pickup 80 in the samemanner as the conventional art so that the light beam B can beirradiated precisely onto the information track of the DVD 1 and thatthe light beam B can be focused on the information record surface of theDVD 1.

[0147] The detection signal Sp outputted from the optical pickup 80 isinputted to the demodulate and correct unit 81, where a signaldemodulation process and an error correct process are applied to it togenerate a demodulation signal Sdm, which is outputted to the streamswitch 82 and the system buffer 85.

[0148] The opening and closing operation of the stream switch 82, towhich the demodulation signal Sdm is inputted, is controlled by a switchsignal Ssw1 from the drive controller 101. When it is closed, the streamswitch 82 passes therethrough the inputted demodulation signal Sdm as itis to the track buffer 83. When it is opened, the demodulation signalSdm is not outputted therethrough, so that unnecessary or uselessinformation (signal) is not inputted to the track buffer 83.

[0149] The track buffer 83, to which the demodulation signal Sdm isinputted, consists of a FIFO (First In First Out) memory, for example.The track buffer 83 temporarily stores the inputted demodulation signalSdm, and continuously outputs the stored demodulation signal Sdm whenthe stream switch 84 is closed. The track buffer 83 compensates adifference or fluctuation in the data amount between respective GOPunder the MPEG 2 method, and continuously outputs the demodulationsignal Sdm, which is discontinuously inputted due to a track jump in theaforementioned seamless reproduction, in case of reading the datadivided into the interleaved units IU, so as to avoid the interruptionof the reproduction due to the discontinuity.

[0150] The opening and closing operation of the stream switch 84, towhich the demodulation signal Sdm is continuously inputted, iscontrolled by a switch signal Ssw2 from the system controller 100 suchthat the various buffers at its posterior stage may not be over-flownor, on the contrary, may not become empty to stop the decoding process,in the separating process by the demultiplexer 86.

[0151] On the other hand, the system buffer 85, to which thedemodulation signal Sdm is inputted in parallel with the track buffer83, accumulates the management information related to the wholeinformation recorded on the DVD 1 which is detected firstly upon loadingthe DVD 1, or the additional information such as the control information11 including the still picture reproduction information 66 (refer toFIG. 5). Then, the system buffer 85 outputs the accumulated data as oneportion of a control information Sc to the system controller 100, andtemporarily stores the DSI data 51 for each navi-pack 41 (refer toFIG. 1) while reproducing the information, to output it as anotherportion of the control information Sc.

[0152] The demultiplexer 86, to which the demodulation signal Sdm iscontinuously inputted through the stream switch 84, separates the videodata 42, the audio data 43, the sub picture data 44 and the PCI data 50for each navi-pack 41 respectively from the inputted demodulation signalSdm, and outputs them as a video signal Sv, a sub picture signal Ssp, anaudio signal Sad and a PCI signal Spc respectively to the VBV buffer 87,the sub picture buffer 89, the audio buffer 92 and the PCI buffer 94.There may be a case where, in the demodulation signal Sdm, differentstreams of the audio data 43 or the sub picture data 44 in a pluralityof different languages are included as the audio or sub pictureinformation. In that case, a desirable language is selected for theaudio or sub picture information by a stream selection signal Slc fromthe system controller 100, so that the audio or sub picture informationin the desirable language is outputted to the audio buffer 92 or the subpicture buffer 89.

[0153] The VBV buffer 87, to which the video signal Sv is inputted,consists of a FIFO memory, for example. The VBV buffer 87 temporarilystores the video signal Sv and outputs it to the video decoder 88. TheVBV buffer 87 compensates the difference or fluctuation in the dataamount between respective pictures of the video signal Sv compressed bythe MPEG 2 method (refer to FIG. 2). Then, the video signal Sv in whichthe differences in the data amount are compensated, is outputted to thevideo decoder 88, and is decoded by the MPEG 2 method to be outputted asa decoded video signal Svd to the mixer 91.

[0154] On the other hand, the sub picture buffer 89, to which the subpicture signal Ssp is inputted, temporarily stores the inputted subpicture signal Ssp, and outputs it to the sub picture decoder 90. Thesub picture buffer 89 is to synchronize the sub picture data 44 includedin the sub picture signal Ssp with the video data 42 corresponding tothe sub picture data 44, and to output it. Then, the sub picture signalSsp synchronized with the video data 42 is inputted to the sub picturedecoder 90 and is decoded to be outputted as a decoded sub picturesignal Sspd to the mixer 91.

[0155] In a case where the sub picture signal Ssp includes videoinformation to construct a frame, a selection button etc. for displayingthe menu picture plane, the sub picture decoder 90 changes a displaycondition of the selection button etc. to be displayed, in the subpicture signal Sspd on the basis of a high light control information Schfrom the system controller 100 to output it.

[0156] The decoded video signal Svd outputted from the video decoder 88and the decoded sub picture signal Sspd outputted from the sub picturedecoder 90 (which is in synchronization with the corresponding decodedvideo signal Svd) are mixed together by the mixer 91, and are outputtedas a final video signal Svp to be displayed to a display device such asa CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) device not illustrated.

[0157] The audio buffer 92, to which the audio signal Sad is inputted,consists of a FIFO memory, for example. The audio buffer 92 temporarilystores the audio signal Sad and outputs it to the audio decoder 93. Theaudio buffer 92 is to synchronize the audio signal Sad with the videosignal Sv or the sub picture signal Ssp including the correspondingvideo information, and delays the audio signal Sad in accordance withthe output condition of the corresponding video information. Then, theaudio signal Sad, which is time-adjusted to synchronize with thecorresponding video information (in the signal form as shown in thelower stage of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8), is outputted to the audio decoder 93.Then, a predetermined decoding process is applied thereat to the audiosignal Sad, on the basis of the header control signal Shc outputted fromthe system controller 100, and it is outputted as a decoded audio signalSadd to a speaker etc. not illustrated.

[0158] If it is detected by the system controller 100 that it isnecessary to temporarily stop (pause) the audio voice in thereproduction immediately after accessing the desired information, apause signal Sca is outputted from the system controller 100 to theaudio decoder 93, so that the output of the decoded audio signal Sadd isstopped temporarily at the audio decoder 93.

[0159] The PCI buffer 94, to which the PCI signal Spc is inputted,consists of a FIFO memory, for example. The PCI buffer 94 temporarilystores the inputted PCI signal Spc and outputs it to the PCI decoder 95.The PCI buffer 94 is to synchronize the PCI data 50, which is includedin the PCI signal Spc, with the video data 42, the audio data 43 and thesub picture data 44 corresponding to the PCI data 50, and apply the PCIdata 50 to the video data 42, the audio data 43 and the sub picture data44. Then, from the PCI signal Spc, which is synchronized with thecorresponding the video data 42, the audio data 43 or the sub picturedata 44 by the PCI buffer 94, high light information included in the PCIdata 50 is separated or extracted by the PCI decoder 95, and isoutputted as a high light signal Shi to the high light buffer 96. Theportion of the PCI data 50 other than the high light information isoutputted as a PCI information signal Spci to the system controller 100.

[0160] The high light buffer 96, to which the high light signal Shi isinputted, consists of a FIFO memory, for example. The high light buffer96 temporarily stores the inputted high light signal Shi and outputs itto the high light decoder 97. The high light buffer 96 is totime-compensate the high light signal Shi so as to precisely perform achange in the display condition of the selection item, which correspondsto the high light information, in correspondence with the sub picturesignal Ssp which includes the video information for the high lightinformation. Then, the time-compensated high light signal Shi is decodedby the high light decoder 97, and the information included in the highlight signal Shi is outputted as a decoded high light signal Shid to thesystem controller 100. The information to set the value of the registerin the system controller 100 is included in this decoded high lightsignal Shid.

[0161] Here, the system controller 100 outputs the aforementioned highlight control signal Sch to change the display condition by the highlight information, on the basis of the decoded high light signal Shid.

[0162] Further, on the basis of the control information Sc inputted fromthe system buffer 85, the PCI information signal Spci inputted from thePCI decoder 95 and an input signal Sin inputted from the input unit 98such as a remote controller, the system controller 100 outputs theaforementioned switch signal Ssw2, a stream selection signal (e.g. alanguage selection signal) Slc, the pause signal Sca and the high lightcontrol signal Sch to correctly perform the reproduction correspondingto those input signals, and also outputs a display signal Sdp to displayan operation condition etc. of the reproducing apparatus SS2 to thedisplay unit 99 such as the liquid crystal device. When the input signalSin to instruct the execution of the still reproduction or the pausereproduction is inputted from the still key 98A or the pause key 98B ofthe input unit 98, the system controller 100 performs the respectiveoperations as described later (refer to FIG. 10 or FIG. 11).

[0163] Furthermore, the system controller 100 outputs a seamless controlsignal Scsl corresponding to the track jump process, to the drivecontroller 101, when it detects by the control signal Sc etc. that it isnecessary to perform the track jump process such as a search in order toperform the seamless reproduction.

[0164] Then, the drive controller 101, to which the seamless controlsignal Scsl is inputted, outputs a drive signal Sd to the spindle motor102 or the slider motor 103. By this drive signal Sd, the spindle motor102 or the slider motor 103 moves the optical pickup 80 such that therecord position to be reproduced on the DVD 1 is irradiated with thelight beam B (refer to an arrow of a broken line in FIG. 8), and thespindle motor 102 CLV-controls (Constant Linear Velocity-controls) therotation number of the DVD 1. Along with this, the drive controller 101outputs the aforementioned switch signal Ssw1 on the basis of theseamless control signal Scsl, so as to open the stream switch 82 whenthe demodulation signal Sdm is not outputted from the demodulate andcorrect unit 81 while the optical pickup 80 is being-moved, and so as toclose the stream switch 82 when the demodulation signal Sdm is startedto be outputted, so that the demodulation signal Sdm is outputted to thetrack buffer 83.

[0165] Especially, an operation of the still picture reproduction inaccordance with the present invention in the above mentioned reproducingapparatus SS2 is explained mainly as for a process in the systemcontroller 100, with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 9.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 9, in the still picture reproducing operationusing the still picture reproduction information 66 in the reproducingapparatus SS2 of this embodiment, when the DVD 1 is firstly loaded andthe reproduction is started (Step S1), the audience selects VTS 3 to bereproduced from the initial menu and the like recorded on the videomanger 2, so that the additional information including the controlinformation, such as the still picture reproduction information 66 andthe like, corresponding to the VTS 3 to be reproduced is selected (StepS2).

[0167] After that, the system controller 100 reads in the selectedadditional information through the system buffer 85 (Step S3). At thistime, as mentioned above, when a plurality of still picture reproductioninformations 66 are recorded for one cell 20, the still picturereproduction information 66 corresponding to the VTS 3 selected by theaudience is automatically selected. At this time, in addition to thestructure so as to automatically select the still picture reproductioninformation 66 corresponding to the VTS 3, such a configuration may beadopted that a menu picture plane and the like related to a plurality ofstill picture reproducing operations corresponding to a plurality ofstill picture reproduction informations 66 is displayed to the audience,so as to allow the audience to select one of them and to thereby selectone still picture reproduction information 66.

[0168] When the additional information is read in at the step S3, aparameter indicative of the cell number of the cell 20 included in theselected VTS 3 (Step S2) is set to [1] (Step S4).

[0169] Then, the cell reproduction control information data 66D of thecell 20 corresponding to the read in still picture reproductioninformation 66 is detected, and it is judged whether or not it is [1](Step S5).

[0170] In case that the cell reproduction control information data 66Dof the cell 20 is [1] (Step S5; YES), it is determined that thetemporarily stop is to be performed for each GOP 52 included in the cell20 and the still picture reproduction is to be carried out. Thus, afterthe first GOP 52 is reproduced, the still picture reproduction iscarried out (Step S6). And, it is judged whether or not the input signalSin including the cancel signal to stop the still picture reproductionis inputted from the still key 98A or pause key 98B of the input unit 98(Step S7). If not inputted (Step S7; NO), the still picture reproductionis continued as it is. If inputted (Step S7; YES), the GOP 52 isincremented by one (Step S8). Next, it is judged whether or not thereproduction of the whole cell 20 in which the reproduced GOP 52 isincluded is finished (Step S9). When the reproduction of the whole cell20 is not finished (Step S9; NO), the flow returns back to the step S6so as to perform the processes from the step S6 to step S9 for theincremented GOP 52.

[0171] In case that the cell reproduction control information data 66Dof the cell 20 is not [1] by the judgment at the step S5 (Step S5; NO),it is determined that the still picture reproduction is not to beperformed for each GOP 52, and the continuous reproduction is performedwithin the cell 20 as it is (Step S10). Then, the flow proceeds to astep S11.

[0172] On the other hand, when the reproduction of the whole cell 20 isfinished (Step S9; YES) by the judgment at the step S9, the still timeperiod specifying information data 66E within the still picturereproduction information 66 corresponding to the cell 20 of the cellnumber [1] is detected, and it is judged whether or not it is [0] (StepS11). In case that the still time period specifying information data 66Eis [0] (Step S11; YES), it is determined that the still picturereproduction for the final picture is not to be performed at the cell20. Then, the flow proceeds to at a step S15.

[0173] On the other hand, in case that the still time period specifyinginformation data 66E is not [0] (Step S11; NO), it is next judgedwhether or not the still time period specifying information data 66E is[255] (Step S12). In case that the still time period specifyinginformation data 66E is not [255] (Step S12; NO), it is determined thatthe cell 20 is to be reproduced only for the time period specified tothe still time period specifying information data 66E, and then thefinal picture thereof is still-picture-reproduced, Thus, the stillpicture reproduction is performed only for the specified time period(Step S13). The flow proceeds to the step S15.

[0174] In case that the still time period specifying information data66E is [255] in the judgment at the step S12 (Step S12 ; YES), it isjudged whether or not the input signal Si including the cancel signal isinputted (Step S14), so as to continue the still picture reproduction ofthe final picture of the cell 20 until the input signal Sin includingthe cancel signal to stop the still picture reproduction is inputtedfrom the input unit 98. If not inputted (Step S14; NO), the stillpicture reproduction of the final picture of the cell 20 is continueduntil inputted. When the input signal Sin including the cancel signal isinputted (Step S14; YES), the still picture reproduction is finished,and the parameter indicative of the cell number is incremented by [1](Step S15). Then, it is judged whether or not the processes for all thecells 20 included in the still picture reproduction information 66 arefinished (Step S16). If not finished (Step S16; NO), the flow returnsback to the step S5 so as to repeat the processes on and after the stepS5 for the cell 20 corresponding to the incremented cell number. Whenthe processes for all the cells 20 are finished (Step S16; YES), thereproducing processes for the VTS 3 including these cells 20 are ended.

[0175] According to the operation using the still picture reproductioninformation 66 in the above mentioned reproducing apparatus SS2, thestill picture reproduction information 66 to control the still picturereproduction for each cell 20 or GOP 52 is recorded on the PGCI 64.Thus, it is possible to perform the still picture reproduction in whichthe time period or duration of the still picture reproduction is changedfor each cell 20, by still-picture-reproducing the final picture of thecell 20 according to the author's intention on the basis of the stillpicture reproduction information 66.

[0176] Moreover, the still time period specifying information data 66Econtains: the still time period specifying information in which thestill time period is specified; and the still time period specifyinginformation in which the still time period is not specified. Thus, bycontrolling the reproduction on the basis of each still time periodspecifying information data 66E, it is possible to perform the stillpicture reproduction in which the time period is specified according tothe author's intention, and also possible to continue the still picturereproduction until the stop of the still picture reproduction isspecified by the audience.

[0177] Further, since the still picture reproduction information 66further contains the cell reproduction control information data 66D, itis possible to perform the still picture reproduction for each GOP 52 ata time of reproducing the record information R.

[0178] Furthermore, since the still picture reproduction information 66is recorded at the inner circumference of the DVD 1, it is possible tocollectively obtain the cell reproduction control information data 66Dor the still time period specifying information data 66E contained inthe still picture reproduction information 66 in advance of reproducingthe record information R. At this time, when there exist a plurality ofstill picture reproduction informations 66 for one cell 20, it ispossible to select the still picture reproduction information 66 fromthem to thereby select and obtain the desired still picture reproductioninformation 66 or still time period specifying information data 66E, tothereby implement a plurality of still picture reproductions for onecell 20.

[0179] Next, another embodiment of the operation in a case where theinput signal Sin including the cancel signal to stop the still picturereproduction based on the audience's intention is inputted from thestill key 98A or the pause key 98B of the input unit 98 in the processat the step S14 in the operation of the reproducing apparatus SS2, andanother embodiment of the operation in a case where the input signal Sinincluding the cancel signal to stop the still picture reproduction isinputted from the still key 98A or the pause key 98B of the input unit98 before the specified time is elapsed during the still picturereproduction on the basis of the audience's intention at the step S13,are explained with reference to FIGS. 10A to 11.

[0180]FIG. 10A integrally shows the operations when the input signal Sinincluding the cancel signal to stop the still picture reproduction ineach case is inputted from the still key 98A or the pause key 98B of theinput unit 98.

[0181] That is, in the reproducing apparatus SS2 shown in FIG. 8, incase that the pause key 98B is actuated or in case that the still key98A is actuated in the repose with the specified time period at the stepS13, the actuation is made ineffective in order to reflect the author'sintention. Then, the still picture reproduction is continued until theelapse of the specified time. An activation ineffective display asdescribed later is performed.

[0182] On the other hand, in case that the pause key 98B is activated orin case that the still key 98A is activated in the repose with theinfinite time at the step S14, the activation becomes effective in orderto reflect the audience's intention. Then, the still picturereproduction is finished as mentioned above, and the operation proceedsto the reproduction for a next cell 20 (at the steps S15 and S16 in FIG.9). An activation effective display as described later is performed.

[0183] Further, in case that the still key 98A is activated in thenormal reproduction, which is not under the still picture reproduction,the still picture reproduction (still picture) is started at thattiming. In case that the pause key 98B is activated in the normalreproduction, an operation is started in which the picture signal Svp isnot outputted to a displaying section at that timing (the displayingsection has a so-called pause picture).

[0184] Next, the above mentioned operation is explained with referenceto a flow chart shown in FIG. 10B. When any key is firstly inputted(Step S20), it is judged whether or not the key is the still key 98A(Step S21). If it is the still key 98 a (Step S21: YES), it is judgedwhether or not it is in the repose with the specified time (Step S13 inFIG. 9) (Step S22). If it is in the repose with the specified time (StepS22; YES), it is determined that the activation of the still key 98A isineffective. Then, the ineffective display is performed (Step S23). Theprocess is ended.

[0185] The ineffective display in this case, for example, displays aremaining time until the end of the still picture reproduction, orgenerates a beep tone and the like to thereby give the audience awarning.

[0186] On the other hand, if it is not in the repose with the specifiedtime in the judgment at the step S22 (Step S22; NO), it is judgedwhether or not it is in the repose with the infinite time (Step S24). Ifit is in the repose with the infinite time (Step S24; YES), it isdetermined that the activation of the still key 98A is effective. Then,the effective display is performed (Step S25). The process is ended.

[0187] The effective display in this case, for example, finishes thestill picture reproduction to thereby move to the reproduction for thenext cell 20 (the steps S15 and S16 of FIG. 9), or stops the stillpicture reproduction to thereby perform a so-called blue back display (adisplay picture is made blue as a whole), a squelch display (a picturedisplay on which the picture signal Svp is not displayed), a so-calledscreen saver display (a predetermined picture (having no relation with apresently reproduced picture) is outputted in order to protect thesticking of the display picture) or the like.

[0188] Incidentally, it is possible to move to the normal reproductionoperation after performing the activation effective display. In thiscase, for example, the operation is processed as described below.Namely, when the still key 98A is activated in the repose with theinfinite time, the activation effective display is performed. When thestill key 98A is further activated after that, the operation returnsback to the originally infinite time still picture reproduction. Whenthe still key 98A is furthermore activated after that, the operationreturns back to the normal dynamic picture reproduction.

[0189] Next, if it is not in the repose with the infinite time (StepS24; NO) in the judgment at the step S24, it is judged whether or not itis in the normal reproduction (Step S26). In case of the normalreproduction (Step S26; YES), it is determined that the activation ofthe still key 98A is effective. Then, in order to perform the stillpicture reproduction that is the primary function thereof, the stillpicture is displayed at a timing when the still key 98A is activated(Step S27). Then, the process is ended.

[0190] On the other hand, in case that it is not in the repose with thenormal reproduction (Step S26; NO) in the judgment at the step S26, theflow returns to the step S20 so as to wait for a next key input.

[0191] Moreover, in case that it is not the still key 98A (Step S21; NO)in the judgment at the step S21, it is judged whether or not theactivated key is the pause key 98B (Step S28). In case that it is thepause key 98B (Step S28; YES), it is judged whether or not it is in therepose with the specified time (Step S29). In case that it is in therepose with the specified time (Step S29; YES), the process at the stepS23 is performed. Then, the process is ended.

[0192] On the other hand, in case that it is not in the repose with thespecified time (Step S29; NO) in the judgment at the step S29, it isjudged whether or not it is in the repose with the infinite time (StepS30). In case that it is in the repose with the infinite time (Step S30;YES), the process at the step S25 is performed. Then, the process isended.

[0193] Next, in case that it is not in the repose with the infinite time(Step S30; NO) in the judgment at the step S30, it is judged whether ornot it is in the normal reproduction (Step S31). In case that it is inthe normal reproduction (Step S31; YES), the pause picture is displayed(Step S32) in order to make the function of the still picturereproduction that is the primary function of the pause key 98Beffective. Then, the process is ended.

[0194] On the other hand, in case that it is not in the normalreproduction (Step S31; NO) in the judgment at the step S31, theoperation proceeds to the step S20 in order to wait for a next keyinput.

[0195] As explained above, in the repose with the specified time, theactivation of the still key 98A or the pause key 98B is madeineffective. Then, the still picture reproduction is continued until theelapse of the specified time. Further, in the repose with the infinitetime, the activation of the still key 98A or the pause key 98B is madeeffective. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the still picturespecifying time from being carelessly shorten, and also possible to stopthe still picture reproduction according to the audience's intention inthe repose with the infinite time.

[0196] As a result, it is possible to perform the reproductionreflecting the author's intention of the record information R and alsopossible to perform the reproduction reflecting the audience'sintention.

[0197] In each case that the still key 98A or the pause key 98B isactivated, the effective display indicative of the effectiveness or theineffective display indicative of the ineffectiveness is performed.Thus, in each case, the audience can recognize that the activation ofthe still key 98A or the pause key 98B is effective or ineffective.

[0198] The flow chart shown in FIG. 10B indicates the case where theinput unit 98 has the still key 98A and the pause key 98B such as thereproducing apparatus SS2 shown in FIG. 8. Besides, in an informationreproducing apparatus using just one temporary stop key commonly as bothof the still key and the pause key at the input unit, as for each of theabove mentioned operations, as shown in FIG. 10A, in a case ofdetermining that the temporary stop key is activated in the repose withthe specified time, the activation is made ineffective, and then theineffective display can be performed. In a case of determining that thetemporary stop key is activated in the repose with the infinite time,the activation is made effective, and then the effective display can beperformed.

[0199] An operation in this case is explained with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 11. At first, it is judged whether or not thetemporary stop key is activated (Step S40). After that, the operationsat the steps S22 to S26 shown in FIG. 10B are performed.

[0200] Then, if it is in the normal reproduction in the judgment at thestep S26 (Step S26; YES), the still picture or the pause picturecorresponding to the temporary stop is displayed (Step S41). Then, theprocess is ended.

[0201] According to the above mentioned operations, even the reproducingapparatus, which does not have both of the still key and the pause key,can obtain the effect similar to that of the reproducing apparatus SS2shown in FIG. 10B.

[0202] In each of the above mentioned embodiments, it has been explainedthe case where the record information R is recorded on the DVD 1 andthen this is reproduced. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. It is possible to apply to various information record mediumsother than the DVD 1.

[0203] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information recording apparatus comprising: asignal process means for dividing record information to be recorded intoa plurality of partial record informations including at least videoinformation, for applying a predetermined signal process to each of saidpartial record informations to thereby output processed partial recordinformation, and for generating and outputting, on the basis of controlinformation which is inputted from the external to control areproduction of said record information, additional informationincluding still time information indicative of a time for performing astill picture reproduction of a final picture of each of said partialrecord informations which is a picture included in each of said partialrecord informations at a final portion thereof after reproducing each ofsaid partial record informations, at a time of reproducing said recordinformation, said still time information being set for each of saidpartial record informations; a multiplex means for multiplexing saidprocessed partial record information and said additional information tothereby generate multiplexed processed record information; and a recordmeans for recording said multiplexed processed record information ontoan information record medium.
 2. An information recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said still time information includes: timespecifying still time information to perform the still picturereproduction of said final picture for a predetermined time period setin advance; and infinite still time information to continue the stillpicture reproduction of said final picture until a still picturereproduction cancel signal to stop said still picture reproduction isinputted from the external during the still picture reproduction.
 3. Aninformation recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidadditional information further includes still specifying informations toperform, after reproducing divided partial record information into whichsaid processed partial record information is further divided, the stillpicture reproduction of said final picture contained in each of saiddivided partial record informations.
 4. An information recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said additional informationincludes a plurality of still time informations, which correspond tosame one of said partial record informations and which respectivelyindicate times to perform the still picture reproduction different fromeach other; and said multiplex means multiplexes said processed partialrecord information and said additional information so as to record saidadditional information at a record position on said information recordmedium, which is different from a portion where said record informationis recorded and which is reproduced prior to the reproduction of saidrecord information.
 5. An information record medium recorded with recordinformation to be reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus forreproducing said record information on the basis of additionalinformation recorded on said information record medium besides saidrecord information, said information record medium comprising a datastructure stored in said information record medium and including:processed partial record information generated by applying apredetermined signal process to each of partial record informations intowhich said record information is divided and which include at leastvideo information; and still time information, which is included in saidadditional information and which indicates a time for performing a stillpicture reproduction of a final picture of each of said partial recordinformations, which is a picture included in each of said partial recordinformations at a final portion thereof, after reproducing each of saidpartial record informations at a time of reproducing said recordinformation, said still time information being set for each of saidpartial record informations, said processed partial record informationand said additional information being multiplexed and recorded on saidinformation record medium.
 6. An information record medium according toclaim 5, wherein said still time information includes: time specifyingstill time information to perform the still picture reproduction of saidfinal picture for a predetermined time period set in advance; andinfinite still time information to continue the still picturereproduction of said final picture until a still picture reproductioncancel signal to stop said still picture reproduction is inputted fromthe external during the still picture reproduction.
 7. An informationrecord medium according to claim 5, wherein said additional informationfurther includes still specifying information to perform, afterreproducing divided partial record informations into which saidprocessed partial record information is further divided, the stillpicture reproduction of said final picture contained in each of saiddivided partial record informations.
 8. An information record mediumaccording to claim 5, wherein: said additional information includes aplurality of still time informations, which correspond to same one ofsaid partial record informations and which respectively indicate timesto perform the still picture reproduction different from each other; andsaid additional information is recorded at a record position on saidinformation record medium, which is different from a portion where saidrecord information is recorded and which is reproduced prior to thereproduction of said record information.
 9. An information reproducingapparatus for reproducing record information from an information recordmedium comprising a data structure stored in said information recordmedium and including: processed partial record information generated byapplying a predetermined signal process to each of partial recordinformations into which said record information is divided and whichinclude at least video information; and still time information, which isincluded in additional information and which indicates a time forperforming a still picture reproduction of a final picture of each ofsaid partial record informations, which is a picture included in each ofsaid partial record informations at a final portion thereof, afterreproducing each of said partial record informations, said still timeinformation being set for each of said partial record informations, saidprocessed partial record information and said additional informationbeing multiplexed and recorded on said information record medium, saidinformation reproducing apparatus comprising: a detection anddemodulation means for detecting and demodulating said processed partialrecord information and said additional information from said informationrecord medium to thereby output a demodulation signal; an extract meansfor extracting said additional information from said demodulationsignal; and a control means for controlling the still picturereproduction of said final picture of each of said partial recordinformations, on the basis of said still time information included insaid extracted additional information.
 10. An information reproducingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said additional informationfurther includes still specifying information to perform, afterreproducing divided partial record informations into which saidprocessed partial record information is further divided, the stillpicture reproduction of said final picture contained in each of saiddivided partial record informations; and said control means controls thestill picture reproduction of said final picture included in each ofsaid divided partial record informations on the basis of said stillspecifying information.
 11. An information reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein: said additional information includes aplurality of still time informations, which correspond to same one ofsaid partial record informations and which respectively indicate timesto perform the still picture reproduction different from each other; andsaid control means controls said detection and demodulation means andsaid extract means to reproduce said additional information prior to thereproduction of said record information other than said additionalinformation.
 12. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim9, wherein said still time information includes: time specifying stilltime information to perform the still picture reproduction of said finalpicture for a predetermined time period set in advance; and infinitestill time information to continue the still picture reproduction ofsaid final picture until a still picture reproduction cancel signal tostop said still picture reproduction is inputted from the externalduring the still picture reproduction, and said control means controlsthe still picture reproduction of said final picture, on the basis ofsaid time specifying still time information and said infinite still timeinformation.
 13. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim12, wherein: said information reproducing apparatus further comprises aninput means for inputting said still picture reproduction cancel signaltherethrough; and said control means controls said still picturereproduction cancel signal to be ineffective when said still picturereproduction cancel signal is inputted through said input means in casethat the still picture reproduction of said final picture is performedon the basis of said tine specifying still time information, and to beeffective when said still picture reproduction cancel signal is inputtedthrough said input means in case that the still picture reproduction ofsaid final picture is performed on the basis of said infinite still timeinformation.
 14. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim13, wherein: said information reproducing apparatus further comprises adisplay means; and said control means controls said display means todisplay such a message that said still picture reproduction cancelsignal is ineffective when said still picture reproduction cancel signalis inputted through said input means in case that the still picturereproduction of said final picture is performed on the basis of saidtime specifying still time information.
 15. An information reproducingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein: said information reproducingapparatus further comprises a display means; and said control meanscontrols said display means to display such a message that said stillpicture reproduction cancel signal is effective when said still picturereproduction cancel signal is inputted through said input means in casethat the still picture reproduction of said final picture is performedon the basis of said infinite still time information.